Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Isaiah Ch.38 / 66 Ch.s
ISA:38
* Hezekiah's sickness and recovery. (1-8) His thanksgiving.
(9-22)
#1-8 When we pray in our sickness, though God send not to us
such an answer as he here sent to Hezekiah, yet, if by his
Spirit he bids us be of good cheer, assures us that our sins are
forgiven, and that, whether we live or die, we shall be his, we
do not pray in vain. See #2Ki 20:1-11|.
#9-22 We have here Hezekiah's thanksgiving. It is well for us to
remember the mercies we receive in sickness. Hezekiah records
the condition he was in. He dwells upon this; I shall no more
see the Lord. A good man wishes not to live for any other end
than that he may serve God, and have communion with him. Our
present residence is like that of a shepherd in his hut, a poor,
mean, and cold lodging, and with a trust committed to our
charge, as the shepherd has. Our days are compared to the
weaver's shuttle, #Job 7:6|, passing and repassing very swiftly,
every throw leaving a thread behind it; and when finished, the
piece is cut off, taken out of the loom, and showed to our
Master to be judged of. A good man, when his life is cut off,
his cares and fatigues are cut off with it, and he rests from
his labours. But our times are in God's hand; he has appointed
what shall be the length of the piece. When sick, we are very
apt to calculate our time, but are still at uncertainty. It
should be more our care how we shall get safe to another world.
And the more we taste of the loving-kindness of God, the more
will our hearts love him, and live to him. It was in love to our
poor perishing souls that Christ delivered them. The pardon does
not make the sin not to have been sin, but not to be punished as
it deserves. It is pleasant to think of our recoveries from
sickness, when we see them flowing from the pardon of sin.
Hezekiah's opportunity to glorify God in this world, he made the
business, and pleasure, and end of life. Being recovered, he
resolves to abound in praising and serving God. God's promises
are not to do away, but to quicken and encourage the use of
means. Life and health are given that we may glorify God and do
good.